My girlfriend and I have recently moved in together and as part of setting up a new home we're making it as eco-friendly as at all possible:
- we're buying consumables from the local organic and other shops; but particularly from the Alexandra Palace organic market, on a comparison with last weeks shop, we bought a whole load of bread, dairy and veg for £7.50 in the market, which would've been more like a tenner in the supermarkets. Packaging free and all grown/made in Barnet too, expect for two items that came from Lincolnshire.
- In terms of furnishings, we've spent a week leraning the 'as new' prices from various shops, and having bought just a couple of essential bookshelves from IKEA (sustainable scandanavian forest sourced), we've decided to opt for second-hand furniture to focus on reuse; plus it'll mean getting better quality furniture for the same price as modern cheapo-looking fibreboard stuff.
- I already cycle to work everyday, and she's also buying a bike so that she can get to college.
- Lastly we've borrowed an old 'dongle' off a relative for our broadband connection.
It's funny, things have just fallen into place as we've talked about the household goods, consumables and furniture issues with friends and family. Someone always has a useful suggestion, and sometimes they completely misunderstand and send you the wrong way. It takes time, but I hope it's worth it when we calculate our footprint later this year once we're properly settled in.
- we're buying consumables from the local organic and other shops; but particularly from the Alexandra Palace organic market, on a comparison with last weeks shop, we bought a whole load of bread, dairy and veg for £7.50 in the market, which would've been more like a tenner in the supermarkets. Packaging free and all grown/made in Barnet too, expect for two items that came from Lincolnshire.
- In terms of furnishings, we've spent a week leraning the 'as new' prices from various shops, and having bought just a couple of essential bookshelves from IKEA (sustainable scandanavian forest sourced), we've decided to opt for second-hand furniture to focus on reuse; plus it'll mean getting better quality furniture for the same price as modern cheapo-looking fibreboard stuff.
- I already cycle to work everyday, and she's also buying a bike so that she can get to college.
- Lastly we've borrowed an old 'dongle' off a relative for our broadband connection.
It's funny, things have just fallen into place as we've talked about the household goods, consumables and furniture issues with friends and family. Someone always has a useful suggestion, and sometimes they completely misunderstand and send you the wrong way. It takes time, but I hope it's worth it when we calculate our footprint later this year once we're properly settled in.
Posted 20th July in: stick with what you got,
